GCDN Annual Convening – Los Angeles 2025

What does it take to make a cultural district – not just in name, but in structure, purpose and public imagination?

Established in April 2025, the Grand Avenue Cultural District in Downtown Los Angeles brings together a constellation of long-standing cultural and educational institutions, civic assets and public spaces into a unified framework. It was recently officially acknowledged by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. However, formal recognition is only the beginning. From defining shared goals, funding models and governance structures to coordinating public engagement and visitor experience, district-making demands both strategic alignment and narrative coherence.

Taking Grand Avenue as a live case study, this session explores how internal coordination, digital infrastructure and storytelling can be used to shape a shared identity for this emerging cultural ecosystem. Featuring a live demo from Bloomberg Connects – currently developing a digital guide for the district – and input from local stakeholders, the conversation offers insight into how institutions can build visibility, connection and coherence across the district, and the opportunities and tensions involved in trying to speak with one voice while preserving the distinctiveness of many.